Storyboarding is a powerful visualization technique that transforms written scenarios into comic book-style illustrations. By breaking down user interactions into sequential scenes, storyboards help teams better understand and communicate how people will use their products or services.
What Makes a Good Storyboard?
A storyboard illustrates your user scenarios through carefully crafted scenes that include:
- Character interactions
- Environmental context
- Sequential flow
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Both screens and scenes where appropriate
The Storyboarding Process
1. Break Down Your Scenario
- Divide your story into individual sentences
- Each sentence should represent a single idea or step
- Create empty boxes (approximately 4" x 4") for each sentence
- Number the boxes sequentially
2. Add Context
- Write the corresponding sentence below each box
- Keep it simple - one idea per frame
- Pro tip: Split frames with thick black lines if you need to show rapid sequences or different viewpoints of the same state
3. Plan Your Shots
Label each box with:
- Character name
- Shot type:
- CU (Close Up)
- OTS (Over The Shoulder)
- ECU (Extreme Close Up)
- LS (Long Shot)
- MS (Medium Shot)
4. Sketch the Action
When sketching:
- Start with stick figures or crude outlines
- Emphasize hands and eyes in people
- Show both humans in frame for human interactions
- For digital products:
- First show the product in context (in someone's hand)
- Then show what appears on the screen
- Add details after getting the basic elements right
5. Iterate and Refine
- Complete a rough version
- Share with others
- Get feedback
- Refine based on feedback
- Repeat until the storyboard is self-explanatory
Best Practices
- Start Simple
- Begin with basic stick figures
- Focus on getting all elements in place before adding detail
- Don't worry about artistic perfection
- Show Context
- Include environmental elements
- Show how products fit into the larger scene
- Demonstrate relationships between characters
- Focus on Key Moments
- Capture critical interactions
- Show emotional states when relevant
- Highlight important transitions
- Test for Clarity
- Show your storyboard to someone unfamiliar with the project
- Ask them to tell the story back to you
- Note where they get confused or misinterpret scenes
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard (recommended) or 11 x 17 Paper
- Sharpie Markers
- Your written scenarios
- 30-45 minutes per iteration
Getting Started
The best way to improve your storyboarding skills is through practice. Start with a simple scenario and focus on communicating the key moments clearly. Don't worry about making things look perfect - stick figures are perfectly acceptable as long as they effectively convey the story.
Good sketches rarely happen on the first try. Expect to go through multiple iterations before reaching a clear, effective storyboard. The goal isn't artistic perfection but rather clear communication of your user's journey.
